Bouncing over book news and other Friday Fun

Writing a book is kind of like planting a tree, or maybe more like doing winter-sowing; you put in a bunch of work, then there's a lull, while you're busy doing other things, and then suddenly it's spring and the seedlings are germinating or the tree is leafing out.

That's where I'm at right now. Last year, I worked for months on the manuscript for my second book, Plants for Atlantic Gardens, and it was a huge effort made easier by having wise fellow gardening and writing friends who I could turn to. Then there was a lull while my fabulous editor did his magic, then another flurry of work for me, then another lull. Well, those lulls were occupied by other things like other work obligations, so really, the time flew past.



Now, suddenly, it's almost time. The publicist at Nimbus tells me the book will be out in stores in our region by late February, in the USA by April. It's all coming together! Two book launches happening here in the province, one in Dartmouth at the new Woodlawn Library, and the other at my favourite Telegraph Tea Room here in the Annapolis Valley. I'll post the details once they are carved in stone, both here and on the Events Page.

A number of people will be reviewing the book when it comes out, and while that list is also still firming up, I'd just like to thank them all in advance, and hope they like the book. What's it about, you ask? Let me post the précis:

With all the special challenges associated with gardening in Atlantic Canada, in-depth information and genuine inspiration are even more important. Plants for Atlantic Gardens is your go-to resource for growing perennials, shrubs, and trees on the East Coast. Well-known gardening columnist Jodi DeLong profiles over 100 of the best species for planting in Atlantic Canadian gardens. Each plant description includes essential gardening in- formation, such as growing requirements, hardiness, height, and bloom period. In an accessible, friendly writing style, Jodi also tells prospective gardeners about the plant’s natural history in the region and shares her own experiences—both good and bad! The book includes a hardiness map, Jodi’s list of preferred further reading, and short sidebars on useful topics like soil type, native plants, and pollinators. Over 200 colour photos provide readers a great opportunity to truly assess each plant’s suitability for their own gardens.

My hope is that it is a useful, encouraging volume for any gardener, no matter where in the Northern Hemisphere they live. (Southern Hemisphere dwellers might find it a bit irrelevant).

In other news, it's been fun to read the comments on the previous post about phalaenopsis orchids, and to find others also writing about them at the same time. They're blooming-lovely right now. But I neglected to include this photo of my other miniature phalaenopsis, and its feelings were hurt. Yes, that's a guitar pic beside its dainty little blooms. I could seriously collect a lot of these!


And finally, because I'm frantically busy and need to get some other work done, a nod to the fact that it's Skywatch Friday again! Today we're getting a gentle, 'small snow' which may or may not turn to 'big snow', but winter sunsets can be spectacularly satisfying, don't you think?